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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 2-22-1989MAR BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING 1�3�it ' FEBRUARY 22, 1989 ( I, PRESENT: Chairman Dunn; Selectmen Harrington, Markt, Tartufo; Town Manager; Selectman Levine arrived at 7:50 P.M. 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. and the Flag saluted. 2. Minutes of January 11 & 25, 1989 and February 1, 1989 * MOTION: To approve the Minutes of January 11, 1989. Harrington / Markt VOTED: 4 -0 * MOTION: To approve the Mintues of January 25, 1989. Harrington / Markt VOTED: 4 -0 * MOTION: To approve the Minutes of February 1, 1989, as amended. Markt /Harrington VOTED: 4 -0 3. Warrant #35 * MOTION: To approve Warrant #35 in the amount of $599,726.52, dated Febru- ary 21, 1989, broken down as follows: General Fund - $433,834.84 Revenue Sharing - 123.44 School Lunch - 11,393.03 Special Revenue - 11,906.86 Capital Projects - 8,717.00 Sewer Enterprise - 6,280.38 Water Enterprise - 7,442.98 Electric Enterprise - 120,027.99 Markt /Harrington VOTED: 4 -0 Markt abstained on police items 4. Licenses & Permits a) Application for Class I and Class II car dealer's licenses, business to be called Mansfield Chrysler - Plymouth, Inc., 515 South Main Street (Taking over Great Woods Chrysler - Plymouth, Inc., same address). * MOTION: To approve the Class I and Class II licenses. Harrington / Markt VOTED: 4 -0 5. Correspondence a) Memorandum to Local Officials & Cable Television Advisory Committees re: Legislation Requiring Cable Operators to Disclose Revenue Informa- tion. b) Copy of Mass. Industrial Finance Agency Quarterly Newsletter, Winter 1989. c) Copy of S.E. Regional School budget for fiscal period July 1, 1989 through June 30, 1990. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 22, 1989 ( PAGE 2 d) Letter to the Town Manager from Town Counsel (Max Volterra) re: Form of Warrant Article dealing with acceptance of certain town ways. e) Letter to Chairman Harrington from Attorney Michael Lehane re: Considera- tion for Town Counsel position. f) Memorandum to Board from Bureau of School Nutrition Services re: Summer Food Service Program for Children. g) Letter to Chairman Dunn from Senator David Locke re: Legislation he has filed to increase guaranteed local aid. h) Copies of letters to Fed. Aviation Administration & Mass. Aeronautics Commission from Chairman Willis, Mansfield Airport Commission re: Fenc- ing Maintenance Project at the airport. i) Letter to the Board from Marcy Crowley, Mass. Chapter of American Society for Public Administration, re: Invitation to meet officers and the council at a special meeting March 13th. j) Letter to Board members from Bowl For Kids' Sake, Big Brothers /Big Sisters of Greater Attleboro. - Chairman Dunn commented it was for a good cause and the Selectmen had participated the first year. Q Copy of The Commonwealth's Solid Waste Masterplan: "Toward a System of Integrated Solid Waste Management" & Schedule of Hearings. 1) Copy of Press Release re: Self inspection of home meters & remote readers. 6. Lions Club & Ed Jameson Arlen Shaw from the Lions Club was present with Ed Jameson. Ed Jameson had given each Selectman a blueprint of the proposed plans for the Fulton Pond park area , as promised by the Lions Club in their initial letter to the Board. Arlen Shaw said this would be the Lions Club yearly project; their plan is to renovate existing features (2 memorials, clean the fiver banks and to increase plantings. Their thought is to make it a passive recreational area. They also expect to replace the bridge and put in picnic tables, set in concrete. Ed Jameson couldn't emphasize enough the need for continued maintenance. Selectman Tartufo commended Ed Jameson for what they have done. Chairman Dunn felt it is a worthwhile project and /provide an enjoyable view for Town Hall people. will * MOTION: To accept and endorse the project of the Lions Club, subject to ( review of the appropriate departments of town and to name it for Theodore Robinson. Tartufo /Levine VOTED: 5 -0 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 22, 1989 PAGE 3 7. Review of Budget Matters a) Chairman Dunn said the Board has requested a meeting with Rep. Vernon and Senator Keating to discuss concerns about funds for the Town. Rep. Vernon said Sen. Keating could not come because he is in bed with a disc problem. Chairman Dunn said Mansfield has to cut $350,000 anticipated revenue expected to come back from the State. Rep. Vernon said by supporting Prop. 21 the State has a responsibility, and he opposes a tax increase until the State affects a cut in its bud- get. He said the State has had increased revenues $600 -$700 million dollars over last year; "the State has a spending problem ". He went on to briefly explain the budget process; i.e., there is the Governor's budget, the House budget and the Senate budget. Selectman Tartufo asked when towns will see the money. Rep. Vernon said the State is holding back; he doesn't know. Seelctman Tartufo asked if the Town votes to override for landfill closure, yet it has an applica- tion in for a grant, would the Town still receive the grant money? Rep. Vernon said he thinks so. Selectman Harrington commented on a 60 Minutes program on the City of New York and its infrastructure problem, saying Massachusetts cities and towns are going to have to face the same problems; the State is doing alot of spending - where ?! Rep. Vernon said no increase in State aid means an increase in property taxes. Chairman Dunn asked the Town Manager to address what loss of local aid will mean to the town. The Town Manager had a slide showing what $350,000 could mean. The Chairman of the School Committee said level funding won't do it. Her committee sees a 1.3 million short fall. Chairman of the Finance Committee expressed the need to push Town Meet- ing up; he thinks the three committee chairmen need to meet together as soon as figures are out. b) Fee Increases /Other Fees - The Town Manager said the Finance Committee wants the Board's position concerning raising license and permit fees. Selectman Harrington asked if comparisons had been obtained; he said he .agrees, in concept, with raising fees because growth causes in- creases in services, labor, costs, etc. Selectman Tartufo said he is in favor of the concept as long as it is justified. Selectman Levine said she does not have a problem with inspection or Town Clerk fees; she does with Recreation fees, because if fees go too high, participa- tion could go down which would be a shame. She would support increase based on justification. The Board decided to wait for schedules before voting on increases. Chairman Dunn said he has no problem with alco- hol, parking and motor vehicle fee increases. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 22, 1989 PAGE 4 c) Position on Trash Collection Fee - MOTION: To not support a trash collection fee. Markt /Tartufo Selectman Harrington said he does not support any cut on the municipal side. If there is no increase in State aid, then the Town can't get by unless services are cut. He pointed out at present there is a $55,000 deficit; if you then add needed items, a trash collection fee isn't fair. He said, "Put the question on a ballot" for an override, then if the voters do not support it, they are telling the Board they will accept a cut in services. Selectmen Markt and Tartufo do not want a trash fee. Selectman Levine said everyone she has talked with doesh'twant to lose it off their taxes. Chairman Dunn feels "everyone is being over - ridden to death ". VOTED: 5 -0 d) New Positions - The Town Manager handed out a job description for the proposed DPW Maintenance Supervisor. Selectman Harrington said he felt several new positions are marginal in view of the budget figures. Selectman Tartufo wanted to have depart- ment head input as to their needs, and Selectman Markt agreed with Sel- ectman Harrington's view; he suggested prioritize some, eliminate others. Selectman Levine said she agreed with Selectman Tartufo. Chairman Dunn said he believed the department heads had already discussed their needs with both Tom, the Town Manager, and the Finance Committee. Tom said they had. The Board next discussed the Assistant to Town Manager position and the proposed Finance Director. Selectman Harrington said he would like to combine the two positions. Selectman Tartufo will support one position; does not want a Finance Director. Selectman Markt agreed. Chairman Dunn said he could support two positions if the Town could afford them; he would like to see the Town Manager have an assistant, but with strong financial background for the Accounting Department. Selectman Levine said she cannot support either position. A Finance Director is not in the Town Charter; the Accountant, Treasurer and Assessors Office Manager are all different appointments. MOTION: To endorse one position for conceptual purposes; responsibili- ties, title and salary to be determined later. Harrington / Markt Selectman Tartufo said he does not think the Town needs a Finance Director. The Assistant to the Town Manager descrip- tion, as written by the Town Manager, covers enough of what Tom wants and the salary is sufficient. FAILED: 3 -2 Levine, Markt, Tartufo opposed BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 22, 1989 PAGE 5 * MOTION: To support the Assistant to the Town Manager job description as written by the Town Manager, and salary to be determined later. Markt /Harrington VOTED: 4 -1 Levine opposed Treas /Coll. asking for additional hours for two part -time clerks. The Board will support this. Town Clerk asks for one part -time clerk. * MOTION: To support. Harrington /Tartufo VOTED: 5 -0 Custodian - Decision was to wait for report on contracted services (for the new Library /COA facility). Police Officer - Selectman Harrington suggested phasing in half way through the year; the Town Manager thought this could be done. Select- man Harrington said he thought the Board should support the Police Chief's request since the Board so often is critical of coverage, etc. * MOTION: To support the Police Chief's request for a police officer. Harrington / Markt VOTED: 5 -0 Animal Control Officer - The Board wanted to hear from Chairman of the Animal Welfare Committee and Police Chief on this one. DPW Maintenance Superintendent - The Selectmen Harrington and Markt said they would like to hear from the DPW Director. Selectman Harrington had also asked for an organizational chart. Water Operator - This position is for working primarily with the lime system; possibly some meter reading. * MOTION: To support. Harrington / Markt VOTED: 5 -0 Health Inspector Aide - The Board wanted to hear from the Board of Health first. Recreation Program Supervisor - The Board wanted to meet with both the Chairman of the Recreation Commission and the Recreation Director. Reference Reader Librarian - Board wanted to hear from the Library Director and Library Trustees Chairman. * MOTION: To separate line items for the Planning Board, Conservation Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. Tartufo / Markt VOTED: 3 -2 Dunn & Harrington opposed BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINTUES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 22, 1989 PAGE 6 8. Old Business - Town Manager a) The Town Manager advised that John Kaitz of National Lumber Co. has asked that the Town allow him to improve and fence a small triangular shaped piece of Town land which fronts on Maple Street next to his prop- erty. He had a map which he showed Board members. At the same time he offers to fence around the pine trees at the rear of his property. This plan would allow National Lumber Co. some aesthetic benefits as well as security. The Town Manager recommended a "license agreement" with Nat- ional Lumber Co. Tom said some of the land is Conservation land, so the Board may want to get an endorsement from the Conservation Commission and Recreation Commission before this is done. He also suggested asking for submittal of the plans before the work takes place. The agreement is to read to return the land to the town at any time if it is necessary. Con- sensus of the Board was no problem, but it wants to see the plans before approving. (Selectman Tartufo left the room for this discussion). b) The Town Manager had a State Grant Application for study of co- compost- ing at the landfill. He said he has consulted with Camp Dresser & McKee which feels the Town has a good chance. A member of the Solid Waste Study Committee said if it is the best chance the Town has, then go for it. * MOTION: To approve the Grant application. Tartufo /Markt VOTED: 5 -0 c) The Town Manager reported that a commitment letter has been received for a grant for Sweet's Pond, but the money is frozen. However, the State wants all contract documents prepared. The cost of the project is $78,000; $54,000 the State's share, the rest appropriated at two previous Town Meetings. The Board needs to sign the "sub- State" agreement. * MOTION: To approve acceptance of the grant and approve the signing of the agreement. Tartufo /Markt VOTED: 5 -0 . 9. Old Business - Selectmen a) Selectman Harrington inquired about his request for a review of com- muter parking on Rumford Ave. The Town Manager said he has asked the Police Chief to look into it. b) Selectman Levine inquired about the overtime status in the DPW Depart- ment. The Town Manager said it is in good shape. c) Selectman Levine asked about the status of National Lumber Co. project. The Town Manager said the Conservation Agent is overseeing it and has contacted the County Forestry Department about the trees. d) Selectman Levine also was glad to advise she had had someone call her and express an interest in serving on the Joint Transportation Plan- ning Group, of SRPEDD. He is John Jardin, 498 Williams Street. BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINTUES OF MEETING FEBRUARY 22, 1989 PAGE 7 * MOTION: To appoint John Jardin to the Joint Transportation Planning Group. Levine /Dunn VOTED: 5 -0 10. New Business Levine a) Selectman /said she had received a call about a drainage problem at the corner of Fowler & Henry Streets. - The Town Manager will have this looked into. b) Selectman Levine said she would like the Board to send a plaque to Mansfield, England to keep the sister city relationship alive; she thought it would be a nice gesture. The Board asked her to draft what she would like it to say. c) Chairman Dunn announced that there will be a power outage for two 45- minute sessions on Sunday, February 26th; the first one at about 5:00 A.M., from Copeland Street East; another around 9:00 - 10:00 A.M. This is to permit replacement of some equipment. 11. Executive Session The Board was polled to go into Executive Session to discuss strategy of non -union salaries and positions, and to come out only to adjourn. POLLED: 5 -0 12. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 11:35 P.M. MINUTES APPROVED: Cl rk 3 /21�� Date signed